We’re Sorry That Amy’s Family Didn’t Personally Call You

(Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” song is playing. A customer is in the store and starts singing and dancing along with the chorus.)

Customer: “I love this song! it’s so fun and catchy!”

Me: “It does have a sort of sass to it. Too bad about the subject, though.”

Customer: “Oh, I think we can all relate. Rebelling against social standards, right? Her parents trying to change her like that — ‘fix her up.;”

(Keep in mind, this is your average, upper-class, white lady, looking into buying a $2000 kitchen table. I pause, not sure what she’s getting at.)

Me: “Well, there is the thought that she might still be with us if she had gone.”

Customer: *stares at me* “It’s a metaphor.”

Me: “It’s… I’m pretty sure it’s not. Amy Winehouse died of a drug overdose.”

Customer: *continues to stare at me, horrified* “Well, if that’s true, nobody told me.”

(Then she left, looking really angry.)